Day 8..life is easier for me.

I think it really helps that I am able to distinguish the difference of what is being "heard" now.  This is so great! In the past, I can't tell the difference between crying, yelling or just "playing" talks.  I often had to run upstairs or go to other rooms to see what's up?  It was frustrating because it was hard to tell.  Lately, I noticed that I can tell the difference.  No more running upstairs unless it is REALLY an emergency!  Another thing, I can hear the difference if anyone is upstairs or downstairs!  No more going up to find my kids or hubby, then go all the way down down.

I am very much like a chef. Once I get into gourmet cooking, I would forget the "running" water and the food being boiled over.  (with running water, I tend to overflow the sink A LOT. But lucky, we have this tilted sink which the water can flow into other part of sink.)   But I did noticed it today..it was kind of neat. I didn't work hard to listen. It just happened to noticed that I left the water running.  I guess it was loud enough for me to hear it. And another thing I don't have to stand and wait for the food to be "cooked" only to hear the sizzle that tells me it's starting to boil or to cook behind me while I do more prep.    

The downside of the kitchen was a lot of clanging and banging, cupboards slamming etc.  I grimaced every time that happened.  It made me slow down more in the kitchen, it is bit embarrassing that I had to tiptoeing around the kitchen.  My daughter had to ask me what was I doing.  har har.
While we were sitting and eating..I never noticed how noisy, the cutting is on the plate and the clanking of dishes and utensils.   I had to ask my husband...if this is normal.  He said..well..it is NORMAL for us here at home because we are used to it.  Same with cupboard slamming etc. It's not that good but it is kind of cute with that is who we are.  I think I will be more careful now with those sort of thing, because I do noticed it now.

Day 7

Day at work (day 6)

Monday morning..I knew that I will have a long day. Today is the day that I have to wear it all day at work.  So there's no stopping me now.
On the way out to the door, I heard something..after listening to it for awhile. I couldn't figure how to explain this "sound"..it was just weird.  It was coming from other room (the laundry)..I can seem to pinpoint where it was coming from. Is that neat???   I noticed my dog, Charley is eating..then there is that "sound" again.  I turned to CA, "what is that noise?  is that Charley eating??"   She said  it was.  oh that is disgusting!  that what it was..disgusting noise!!!  WHAT A PIG!  She said that our other dogs never eat like he does.  How embarrassing.  
Off to work, I went.   ON the way , it was time to try it again on the road.  It was like a new experience all over again.  I'm astonished to hear all that..how come I didn't "hear" it before??  Then it started to rain..I had to use the wipers.  I really didn't like the way the wipers sound.   sound like pluckkkked then click.  again and again.   It was really annoying.  Not the way I wanted to start off my day, so I turned it off. I can live without them for now.  (not really..) it was really wet out.   Impossible not to USE the wipers.  ugh.

Walking into work..interesting.  I never noticed the noise before...printers, phones, computers, admin staff.. have I been so ignorant all these times?

I smiled when I said hi to one of my admin staff, she has a strong accent.  At first, it does sound strange because I wasn't used to it with new aids but after we worked together for awhile.  I noticed that she is becoming more understandable than before.   Which is GREAT..I'm so thrilled that it really help, especially that I have lots of clients with accent, and it has been frustrating before.  

When I was in my office, I can hear my co-workers (3 of us shared in the same office) more than ever!  IT didn't bother me before but now its more "noticeable".  It's something I have to get used to.  Them with on phones, computer clicking (typing) and even my own. I tried so hard to be quiet and natural but it's not possible.  I have to remember that THEY are used to it. I am not.
Then I heard in other office, someone was laughing.  That was pretty cool, considering I can tell what it is.  Before I would just hear "something" , it could be just talking, or anything.  But it was clear and it was EXACTLY laughing. so I had to check it out.  I think some of my co workers were surprised that I heard that, when I came in and said "what's so funny?"  

Then later, I had a meeting with my "side-kick" classroom teacher, we were planning our lesson plans.  I hear the "hiccups" before looking at her.  At first, I heard it..then I stopped, heard it again and again. Then I knew it was hiccups .  It was.   it was kinda of quiet type.  Pretty amazing.  

As I was walking away to my classroom, someone called me from one end of the hall.  I heard that and turn around.  She was amazed that I heard that! it was something it didn't happened before.  

After a long day, I was pretty EXHAUSTED, I took my aids off when I got home and somehow, I fell asleep. Slept for 2 hours! which it's pretty unusual and I MISSED my son's BUS!!  Thank heavens, CA, my eldest was home to let him in.  
That was pretty scary.  I realized that it will takes awhile for me to get used to them.  I have to EXPECT that after a long day of "listening" and getting accustomed to new aids, it can be overwhelming and exhausting.   So next time, I put my "alarm" on my iPhone so I don't miss my son's bus again.

Introducing Max..

I grew up with hearing aids behind the ears since I was 7 years old.  Then I tried the digital ones about 6 years ago.  I was amazed how different they are , it took me a week or so to get used to them.  I know I have heard that several hearing aids users really didn't like it and gave up after a day or two.  My audiologist assured me that its something I have to adapt to it and get used to it.  And I did.  I have a profound hearing loss so it means I don't hear as well and I rely on lip reading a lot.
Introducing Unitron "Max", once again my "hearing" has changed for the better. W O W..just saying.

http://unitron.com/unitron/nz/en/professional/products/max.html

Plus got the Smart Alert System.  Something that I have always want and SHOULD have.  Everyone with hearing loss, young or old SHOULD have.  I can't believe it how much I am missing out the essential things in my life for my home.  Will tell more about that later.  First two weeks with my hearing aids, then once I'm "settled" then will explain more about the Smart Alert System.

Day one..the minute I stepped out of my hearing clinic. I knew I was done for.  It was like suddenly my brain switched on and I'm hearing EVERYTHING that I haven't heard like before. I heard the ladies in other room, hearing the phone, fax, printer etc in other ROOM!  I had this nervous giggles.. I think it was bit nervy at first, yet it was exciting.  I did had to take it off on the way home, it was too noisy.  When I got home, it was really interesting to take in all my home's sounds.  Some are unknown..
Then I had to go to for a hair appointment.  I was pretty curious to see if it would be better for me this time.  You know how noisy they are in sense, (probably you don't notice it because you are used to it) hair dryers, sometimes music on,  people talking and your hair dresser talking to you as well.   I have to admit I had to wear one..a headache was pending and I was already tired (two hours later).   I do noticed that I could understand my hairdresser better and how it automatically reduces the background noises and adapted so the mic is working hard to pick up her voice directly.  Weird huh? that's the best way I can explain it..

Then I got home, my family is home.  Suddenly, it sounds like our house is having a party..kids playing, yelling (but not really yelling..just normal as I figured it out later) and I kept telling them to be quiet..hush hush..inside voice etc.  My eldest keeps telling me that she is not "yelling".  She was pretty puzzled..so I had to shared that I have new hearing aids.  She was pretty excited for me..so you can hear everything now?  well..not exactly.  It DOES not "fix" my hearing ..it will NEVER be normal nor be the same range as "normal" people hear.  I had to clarify that.
Hubby came home shortly after that...he has a deep bit louder than "normal" voice.  I'm like "hush..hush"..oh boy.
It was "done" for the day.  I enjoyed the rest of the evening, aids free.

Day two.
The Shopping Mall....if I HAD known..it was probably too soon to go out with new aids.  I do not RECOMMENDED this.  Stay home, take care of yourself, relax for few days.  But this date to the mall has been set with my mom and my daughter weeks ago.
The minute I got to the truck..I can hear lots of beeping..I'm thinking...is something wrong with my vehicle?  I kept looking at the dashboard..no warning lights.  I kept hearing it. so finally I had to asked my daughter, CA.  It was driving me crazy!  She said that..she hears nothing.  So I had to described what it sounds like.  Then I heard her giggling...at the red light, I finally stopped and turn around.  "WHAT???"  thinking she's doing this to annoy me.  She said "oh mom! it was my Iphone".  whattttt? are you serious??? that little thing makes noises????  Oh my..thinking about MY Iphone too.  oh dear..
Before I went to my mom's , I was driving along..I can hear my key chains clicking together..that was so annoying!!! I couldn't stand it. I had to pull over and take them all apart.  From now on, only one in the truck.

Well..the "mall"...that was one noisy place.  For the first time, I noticed music playing!! I said to my mom..is that normal?  do they always play music in the mall?  I do know that they do in individual store but out in the corridors???    Oh that drives me crazy!  really.  I really hate music playing in the stores, because its so loud sometimes, and you can't hear the sale lady.  or If I had to ask about something..and I'm not familiar with their accent or lip reading..then I'm lost with music on top of it.    Now with new aids..it seems LOUDER..and yes I do have to get to used to it.  It took me a strong will not to march up to the counter and demand that the music to be turn off or turn it down !  Seriously.  After a hour and half at the mall, was enough for me.  I was pretty exhausted.  Good thing, we were done anyway.